AHEAD of Sunday's festive friendly, Warrington Guardian sports editor Mike Parsons picks his favourite matches between Warrington Wolves and Widnes Vikings:

1. October 10, 1989: Wilderspool Stadium experienced a rare 1980s lockout as magnificent Wire rose to the occasion and dismantled the World Club Challenge winners 28-6 in a Lancashire Cup semi final. Tony Thorniley, two, Mark Forster and Joe Ropati scored the tries, with Rocky Turner adding six conversions. Warrington won the competition for the last time four days later, defeating Oldham 24-16 at Knowsley Road.

2. May 26, 2012: A try fest for Warrington on the Magic Weekend’s first appearance at the Etihad Stadium in sunny Manchester. Prolific Joel Monaghan crossed five times and Matty Blythe got over for his only Wire hat-trick in a 68-4 trouncing that remains as Wolves’ biggest win against their old enemy.

3. January 28, 1978: Mud, mud, glorious mud...and a glorious cup win, too. John Bevan scored the only try, chasing a kicked ball that continual stuck on the glue-pot Knowsley Road pitch, in a 9-4 John Player Trophy Final success. Steve Hesford booted over three goals too. One of the most iconic pictures in the club’s history is that of mud covered Parry Gordon and Mike Nicholas holding the silverware.

4. August 21, 2005: Paul Cullen’s men hammered in the final nail of the coffin. Widnes were relegated from Super League on the back of a stunning 60-16 win at the Halton Stadium. Lee Briers dominated proceedings, while two tries apiece came from Toa Kohe-Love and Henry Fa’afili, whose first score was in the 93rd second. Full back Brent Grose’s spectacular effort started by collecting a kick behind his own try line.

5. January 14, 1995: Jonathan Davies worked his magic on his old ground, creating two tries and kicking 10 goals in a 30-4 victory that sent Warrington to their last Regal Trophy Final appearance. Iestyn Harris and Mark Forster both crossed twice, with Rob Myler also touching down for Brian Johnson’s side. Warrington lost to Wigan a fortnight later in the first final to be staged at Huddersfield Giants’ new stadium.

6. December 29, 1990: Heroic in defence, an out-of-sorts Warrington soaked up everything a star-studded Widnes line-up threw at them and sealed an 8-4 Regal Trophy semi-final success at Wigan’s Central Park with a last-gasp try from Chris Rudd off a Des Drummond inside pass. Wire went on to win the trophy for the last time, defeating Bradford 12-2 at Headingley a fortnight later.

7. May 6, 1950: Warrington won at Wembley for the first time, beating Widnes 19-0 in the Challenge Cup Final. Loose forward Harrold ‘Moggy’ Palin, who landed four goals and a drop goal, bossed the show and Australian Harry Bath, one of the try scorers, became the first overseas player to lift the trophy as captain. Albert Naughton won the battle of the brothers, with Johnny wearing black and white that day.

8. May 5, 2015: Widnes fans were already celebrating their ‘first away win of the season’ when Joel Monaghan caught Stefan Ratchford’s pass on his bootlaces and squeezed over for a 22-20 win with 14 seconds left on the clock. Lady In Red, Monaghan’s choice of tannoy music after he scored a try, had never sounded sweeter as three sides of The Halliwell Jones Stadium went barmy #magicmoments

9. December 27, 1986: Warrington were in sensational form, their 12th win on the trot being this 35-4 demolition of Widnes at Wigan’s Central Park in the semi finals of the John Player Trophy. Les Boyd had Kurt Sorensen in his pocket, while back rowers Gary Sanderson, Mark Roberts and Mike Gregory ran them ragged. Full back Brian Johnson and centre Paul Cullen bagged two tries each.

10. May 10, 1975: The Wire may have been defeated, but any Challenge Cup Final appearance at Wembley has to be among a fan’s favourites. Holders Warrington fell 14-7, with Alex Murphy’s side not really doing themselves justice on the day against a determined enemy. John Bevan scored Warrington’s only try, with Derek Whitehead kicking two goals.